Questions about Nuses in California

thatoneguy · Jan 16, 2006

think about it. i really believe you should like doing whatever job/career you go into. not just like the idea but the day to day routines, dealing with people from all walks of life at their most vulnerable times. being able to handle patients and family, how should i put it, relieving all their stress on you and be able help them through it at the same time. sometimes thats easy other times not so easy. patients dont always do what you think patients should do. forget about the money, would you still want to be a nurse. for your age 19??? you can not even legally drink yet. your vote has only counted for one year so far. life really doesnt begin till you start getting close to your 30's. dont be in a rush. all we have in this life is time. the way i look it, you can spend your whole life chasing your dreams and never fulfill them yet, that would be a wonderous life.

**a little tip for you; the key to being successful in anything comes down to perseverance.

narcissistic · Jan 16, 2006

So what should I do in the mean time before getting in? Just go for the LVN route or stick in the waiting list? And how much of a chance would I get? Did anyone really wait for 2-3 years? What does an LVN & CNA do, & how much do they make for starting, & are they in demand as well?

clee1 · Jan 16, 2006

So what should I do in the mean time before getting in? Just go for the LVN route or stick in the waiting list? And how much of a chance would I get? Did anyone really wait for 2-3 years? What does an LVN & CNA do, & how much do they make for starting, & are they in demand as well?

Both, friend, both.

Get on the waiting list AND start prereqs. Make sure that whatever you take will transfer between institutions, ASN/BSN or LPN. Most LPN curriculums will accept BSN level classes in place of their own, so take your prereqs at the "higher" institution.

If you do get in to ASN/BSN sooner, just drop the LPN route altogether.

Waiting list times are directly related to a) the number of people in a given area that want a slot, and b) the total number of slots available in a given area; and c) the length of the program(s) and/or the number they take per semester/quarter; and finally d) The number of potential/hopeful students in a given area that are on multiple school's lists. (They will only take ONE slot, so the time might be less than it appears)

Your chances of program entry are directly related to your performance as a student in the prereqs and on a preprogram entrance exam. Do well enough and there is NO waiting list.

thatoneguy · Jan 17, 2006

try EMT class. i thinks it only a 18wk course at SCROC. cost about $100. but that was a longtime ago. might be a little more now. if you have not started you prereq's than start on those.

mstigerlily · Jan 17, 2006

Hi. I just recently turned 19 & I'm from southern California & I'm currently doing my pre-requisites to get into the nursing program. I have a couple questions:
#1 Yes, very much in demand
#2 $25-$30 (or more) per hour
#3 Around 1 yr to as much as 3 yrs depending on the school
#4 Of course. Poop, vomit, urine, blood, mucus, stomach secretions, pus, you name it, you'll probably see (and hear/smell/touch!) it by the time you graduate from nursing school.
Maybe you might want to work as a CNA first. You will see lots of gross things by the end of even your first semester. Don't let the idea of making $30/hr at age 22 be the only thing that attracts you. Decide if nursing is really what you want to do. You have tons of time to figure it out.

narcissistic · Jan 19, 2006

Both, friend, both.
Get on the waiting list AND start prereqs. Make sure that whatever you take will transfer between institutions, ASN/BSN or LPN. Most LPN curriculums will accept BSN level classes in place of their own, so take your prereqs at the "higher" institution.
If you do get in to ASN/BSN sooner, just drop the LPN route altogether.
Waiting list times are directly related to a) the number of people in a given area that want a slot, and b) the total number of slots available in a given area; and c) the length of the program(s) and/or the number they take per semester/quarter; and finally d) The number of potential/hopeful students in a given area that are on multiple school's lists. (They will only take ONE slot, so the time might be less than it appears)
Your chances of program entry are directly related to your performance as a student in the prereqs and on a preprogram entrance exam. Do well enough and there is NO waiting list.

I'm sort of ignorant but what is an LPN? And what do they do & how much do they make? Now I'm quite worried about that waiting list because if I had to wait for 2-3 years, I'd definitely forget some of the things I might've leanred & since the nursing program takes 2 years for completion, I'd be like 23 by then! aah! I cannot wait that long. And what of these "multiple school lists"? How do I do that?

thatoneguy · Jan 19, 2006

I'm sort of ignorant but what is an LPN? And what do they do & how much do they make? Now I'm quite worried about that waiting list because if I had to wait for 2-3 years, I'd definitely forget some of the things I might've leanred & since the nursing program takes 2 years for completion, I'd be like 23 by then! aah! I cannot wait that long. And what of these "multiple school lists"? How do I do that?

lpn means licensed practical nurse, the same thing as a lvn. just depends on the state your in to what they call you. they do patient care and give meds, just limited in what they can give. the money varies i am not really sure but i think they start at $17ish an hour, again depends on location and facility, an lvn/lpn would better to answer these questions.

the multiple school list we are talking about is places people apply to, an example; i applied to four different schools and got on each ones waiting list but, only went to one. however, my name was on four different schools waiting list, the schools i did not end up going to then had an extra spot and moved the names down the list up. in my area there is well over 15 community colleges in a 20 mile radius. so most here apply to at least 4-5 schools, makeing each schools waiting list seem longer that it actually is.

peice of advice, being in a hurry will only get you no where fast. if you dont want to wait might want to look into a different profession.

if you decide its worth the wait i would just take classes like medical terminology, a nutrition class, another growth and development class or 2, if possible some kind of hemodynamic class, take chemistry classes towards your bsn for later ect.ect.... would be cautious about takeing on a year program. because by the time you actually start and finish(might end up being like 1.5-2yrs from now anyway) you might not finish in time before starting the RN program. you could very easily find yourself finishing the lvn/lpn instead of dropping it and entering the RN program. most often end up working for years as a lvn, depending on what happens in your life you could never end up getting your RN. if you just drop the lvn class you lose whatever money it cost.

btw i am in california. and have never heard of anyone waiting longer than two semesters. most i know only waited a semester

clee1 · Jan 19, 2006

I'm sort of ignorant but what is an LPN? And what do they do & how much do they make? Now I'm quite worried about that waiting list because if I had to wait for 2-3 years, I'd definitely forget some of the things I might've leanred & since the nursing program takes 2 years for completion, I'd be like 23 by then! aah! I cannot wait that long. And what of these "multiple school lists"? How do I do that?

In CA, they are called LVNs (Licensed Vocational Nurses). Pay varys due to location and facility, but in GA, new LPNs start at about $17/hr. The scope of practice also varys by state and facility, but in GA, LPNs do anything the facility will allow them to do and they are trained and competent to do.

As to multiple lists... put your name in on EVERY nursing school waiting list in your area. That's what most people do, and THAT makes the waiting list seem longer than it really is.

RNZenpeaceful · Jan 20, 2006

Hello there! You mentioned that you are sort of an "Arty" person, but can't make a living in that field, and that's why you are looking into Nursing-because the starting $ is farily good and there are plenty of jobs...I think that before you really get do another thing, maybe you should really, really, think this through! I never wanted to be nurse; I always wanted to be a teacher. At the end of 11th grade, my guidance councelor advised me & my parents that I could graduate a year early, because I had completed all the high school prerequisites for a diploma by then! My very wise father vetoed that idea, so during 12th grade, I helped out in that same school district's elementary schools as a teacher's aide. This reinforced my desire to become a teacher, but in 1974, there were too many schoolteachers/not enough teaching jobs. Not knowing what else to do for a career, I went to a career center at the local community college and took an aptitude test, which revealed an interest in sciences and "helping people." At this time, the Physician's Assistant occupation was brand new-I was very sure that this was what I would want to do (instead of nursing, which had been suggested-I, too, did not want to clean up body emissions, either) I did not pursue PA school (normally a 4 year program) because I listened to a few people who said, "I don't think this Physican's Assistant thing will ever actually become a real need, it doesn't even seem that it is "legal," etc.) Of course, the occupation of Physician's Assistant survived and is perfectly legal, and the few pople I know who are PAs are very happy with their career decision. Just a thought-(I know, this is supposed to be a pro-nurses site!).... I ended up getting a 2 year degree in Cardiopulmonary Technology, thinking that an allied health career would give me exposure to both science and helping people, without some of the negative aspects of nursing...but guess what! I became very bored doing EKGs/stress testing/ echoes and went back to school for NURSING! and all the credits that I had taken for the CPT degree applied to Nursing. I have now had over 20 year of critical care/ emergency room/IV Team nursing, and I ended up LOVING it...and cleaning up body emissions/secretions ended up being such a small part of the total Nursing thing that it isn't even something that comes to mind when I think of Nursing!

On the other hand, one of my classmates from nursing school, who already had a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, chose to become a nurse because she had been looking for a way to support herself for 3-4 years with that degree and had not been successful. She absolutely hated nursing school with a vengeance, but managed to graduate and get a very "hands-off" job in a rehab facility. She complained constantly about how much she hated nursing in general and in particular, her position of teaching activites of daily living to her brain-injured clients. Worse of all, she was ashamed of being a nurse, and would respond that she was "an artist" if anyone asked! Ultimately, she was fired from her position at the rehab center after almost 10 years (after a client accused her of verbal abuse) Needless to say, she never went back to nursing (found a man to take care of her & doesn't work)...another friend, who had been making living as a realtor, went to nursing school "because I thought nurses made all kinds of money!" Graduated with an Associate's Degree and passed the boards on her 1st try..got a job on a med-surg floor...and...quit after ONE week because, in her words, "What a totally ridiculous amount of work that was! I never drank water or went to the bathroom!" She went right back to selling houses. I don't mean to discourage you, especially since nursing ended up being a wonderful part of my life! I am just asking you to be sure this is what you want, and for the "right" reasons, because if a nurse's job description repels you, then you will definitely not be happy with your choice!

hipab4hands · Jan 20, 2006

I'm sort of ignorant but what is an LPN? And what do they do & how much do they make? Now I'm quite worried about that waiting list because if I had to wait for 2-3 years, I'd definitely forget some of the things I might've leanred & since the nursing program takes 2 years for completion, I'd be like 23 by then! aah! I cannot wait that long. And what of these "multiple school lists"? How do I do that?

Don't worry about forgetting previously taken material. I had a 10 year break from school, but was able to go back and pick up my nursing prereq without trouble. A 2-3 year break is not going to make much difference.

I would encourage you to go get a CNA job, while you are waiting. If you are unable to stand dealing with bodily fluids, you'll find out quickly, and won't have wasted your time and money in an RN or LPN program.

If you're only going to go into this job for the money only-- then, don't bother wasting your time. This is a very high stress and demanding field. For the most part, we are well paid, but no amount of money is going to make up for the high physical / mental demands/ high standards of performance that are put on us.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 20, 2006

As others have mentioned, why don't you get a job and training as a CNA while you are waiting, and see if this is something that you really want to do. The RN still must be able to do every single thing that a CNA or LVN can do, including cleaning up patients. Just part of the territory, as well as learning, and no one can pass that in school, that is for sure at least.

Perhaps you can even try volunteer work at a hospital to get more of a bigger picture of what you are thinking that you are going to do. If you find out that it is something that you really want to do afterwards, then great, you will have the experience under your belt, and if you do not like it, you will find out before you spend the next few years going to school to do something that you do not even like.

A job in a hospital, or even volunteer time, will look excellent on your applciaiton to school.

nursemelani · Jan 20, 2006

I agree with some other posters that you should get your CNA, and work as a CNA while taking pre-requsites. My community college doesn't have a waiting list, but they take the applicants with the highest grades in their pre-requsite classes.

By the way, I am an LVN. We do almost everything RNs do, except give IV medications. The pay for LVNs is about 16-20 dollars pr hour here in the Sacramento area, and for RNs it is about 25-35 per hour. (More for BSN)

19 is SO young. Just keep taking classes, even if it is only one at a time.